Allison woke up the next morning to the sounds of cars honking at each other from outside during sunrise. She tried to move, but was constrained by someone's arms around her. She frantically looked around, nervous as to where exactly she was. She let out a sigh of relief when she saw Steve was the one holding her, and she rested her head back on his chest. She could hear his heartbeat; peaceful, steady, calm. His hair was tousled and messy, and his lips were slightly parted.
She didn't want to wake him, so she slowly slipped away from under his arm, putting a pillow under his arm as a replacement. She quietly tiptoed out of his room, and to the kitchen. She quickly whipped up two cups of coffee – one for herself, one for Steve. She brought the cups back to his room and placed his mug on his side table. She stood by his window, taking in the panoramic view of New York he had. Steve's room directly overlooked Times Square, and though it was merely 6AM, it was busy as hell. People were bustling to get to work on time, and there was a massive line outside of what seemed to be a Starbucks. Allison found the entire scene quite peaceful.
"Now, this is something I'd love to wake up to every morning," She turned around to see Steve sitting up in bed, "A gorgeous lady, a cup of coffee, and a pretty sunrise."
"And you said you hated the view you got from up here." Allison sauntered over to the bed, sitting on the side Steve was lying by.
"I said you get used to it. It's not that fascinating to me anymore."
"How can you not find this absolutely breathtaking?"
"Fair point." He sat up. "Was anyone else awake when you went to make coffee?"
"Not that I know of." She took another sip of her coffee. "Honestly, I don't get how a view like this isn't amazing to you anymore."
"Well, maybe you'll just have to stay over more often to see it."
"Captain Rogers, are you inviting me back to your bed?" She teased.
"Perhaps, Ms. Lane." He smirked.
"Well," She placed a chaste kiss on his lips, "Maybe I accept the offer."
"And maybe I still want to take you out for dinner tonight."
"And maybe I still want takeout Thai food."
"And maybe you both have work to do in an hour. Also, maybe we're having breakfast in half an hour!" Steve and Allison turned their heads to face Clint, who was standing at the doorway. "God, you both are so sappy, it's sickening."
"Shut up, Barty. We'll be there in a bit." She told her friend as Clint shut the door.
"Now, where were we?" Allison placed her coffee cup on the side table, turning her attention to the super-soldier sitting near her.
"I think I asked you to dinner, and I think you said yes." He smiled.
"Sounds about right," She stood up and walked to the door, "I got to grab clothes from my house. I'll be back for breakfast. Don't miss me while I'm gone!"
"I'll try." Steve called after her as she slipped out of his room, leaving him shirtless and slightly flustered.
Two hours later, Steve and Maria entered Stark's laboratory to find him, Banner and Allison talking loudly.
"Sure, but that doesn't totally mean that Strucker died. Capsicle said he saw Strucker- Cap, you're here!" Tony exclaimed as Steve walked in. "Did you kill Strucker?"
"Uh, I'm pretty sure I did." He replied, walking over to Allison immediately.
"Are you sure about that? Because we've just found traces of him." Allison shared.
"What traces?"
"This." She pulled up an e-vite on the computer.
"You and your date are formally invited to Tara Sanderson's Annual Summer Gala tonight." He read. "How does this prove Strucker's alive?"
"Look at the guest list." She scrolled down. "Baron Strucker is first, and he replied to the invitation an hour ago."
"Were you invited to a Hydra party?" Steve asked her.
"No, Sanderson was on a mission when everything happened and isn't exactly in the loop about Hydra. Strucker was her S.O. a while back, so it's natural she'd invite him. However, he replied to the invite, which means he's alive."
"Well, we don't know how experimental he got with Loki's scepter, so we were thinking if Ally could go undercover, almost, and get information from him regarding what he knows about Ultron-"
"Wait," Steve cut Tony off, "Wasn't Ultron created by you two?" He gestured to the two scientists.
"Not exactly," Bruce started. "When Tony was examining the scepter, he found the gem to already have been tested on. It was like half of an AI was created, but they never got the chance to finish it. Tony simply finished it."
"Oh," Steve paused, "You're right, then."
Tony scoffed. "I always am."
"Anyway," Bruce shot his fellow scientist a glare, "We were hoping Ally could convince Strucker to tell us what plans they had for the AI, and what they did to create it so that we can possibly stop Ultron through science."
"Okay, but we can't send Allison in alone." Steve said.
She sighed. "Rogers, I've been on a lot of missions before. This is, quite literally, my field, I know what I'll be doing."
"Yeah, but what if Ultron shows up to do the same thing we're trying to do?"
"I can protect myself."
"I still say someone goes with you. The invite does say you can bring a date."
"Well, who would I take?"
"Wow, are you actually this oblivious?" Tony interjected. "Our Star-Spangled man himself wants to accompany you to this gala tonight."
Steve began to turn red. "I mean, I, uh, I wouldn't have a problem with it."
She giggled. "Sure, Rogers, if you're that desperate."
"Excuse me, I am not desperate!"
"You keep telling yourself that," She stood up, "I picked up on Ultron's traces in your computer system, Tony. The scan has started, but it might take a day or two to pinpoint his exact location."
"Sounds good. Cap, can you do me a favour and grab Thor for me? I have news on the scepter that he needs to hear." Bruce politely asked.
"Sure," Steve turned to her, "What time should I pick you up for tonight?"
"The invite says 7:30, so 7 should be about right. Also, this is a gala, so you're going to want to dress super nice." She smirked.
"Contrary to popular belief, I actually clean up quite nicely."
"I look forward to seeing that, Rogers." He left the room grinning.
"He's so whipped, it's funny." Tony chuckled.
"He is not whipped." She argued.
"God, you both are totally married. Don't even bother denying that." He stated, and she didn't reply. "So what exactly is going on between you two? I mean, the sexual tension is off the scale with you guys."
Before Allison could respond, Bruce spoke, "Tony, leave the poor girl alone. She doesn't need to take your daily interrogations."
Tony put his hands up in surrender. "Sorry, just trying to continue my role as the team's love guru."
"Thanks, B." She spoke to him, before turning to Tony and saying, "However, you should know that quite honestly, neither of us really know what we're doing right now."
"So, what are you then?" Tony further inquired.
"A thing."
"Seriously? Out of all the things you could brand your relationship, you decide to call it a thing?"
"Well, what else would you like us to call whatever we have?"
"Now, that is something for both of you to discuss. I can only be a love guru 'till a certain point." Tony winked before leaving the room.
A/N: Well, another quick update! The rest of this week is going to be hellish, so I might not be able to update until Sunday.
Teaser: The gala happens, and so does Steve and Ally's little date. They run into Strucker, and things don't quite go as planned.
Until next time! :)